Hindus Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P. Uthayakumar formally announced that he will not be contesting in the March 8 general election.

Hindraf chairman P. Waytha Moorthy said although they received many appeals for Uthayakumar to contest, they are unable to adhere to their requests as from its inception, Hindraf has maintained its non-partisan role in politics.

“With this we hope Malaysians would understand that ours is a genuine struggle for the protection of Indian rights and we never had any ulterior political motives from the beginning,” he said. “Our struggle is beyond elections and we will continue to struggle until the five Hindraf leaders are released and the rights of Indians are protected.”

However, Waytha said that Hindraf would fulfill its obligations and promises made to its ‘political friends’ who had been loyal and stood by them.

He would also ask Hindraf supporters to help their endorsed candidates, whose list will be released soon, to win their respective seats.